Blogger Behind the Blog {Joanna Victoria}

Here’s this week’s instalment of Blogger Behind the Blog where I interview a blogger all about their reasons for blogging and what it means to them. This week I’m joined by Joanna from Joanna Victoria.

Here’s Joanna with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I really struggled to come up with a blog name when I first started blogging in 2012 so I just used my name and it has just stuck.

When did you start your blog and why?

I started blogging back in 2012 as a hobby whilst looking for work. Since having Blake I’ve gone from a lifestyle to a parenting and lifestyle blog and enjoy sharing our lives as a family of 3.

What did you do before you blogged?

I worked as a Nursery Assistant than I become unemployed so set up my blog whilst looking for work until I found a job working in a local kids toys/clothing shop. My blog has become more than a hobby since having Blake.

What was your first post?

It took me a while to write my first post as I never quite liked what I wrote. In the end I settled on a little introduction – New Beginnings.

What inspires you to blog?

I love reading other blogs for ideas, however I also get ideas pop into my head while I’m in the shower or last thing at night. I also get ideas from my own experiences or from what I have read.

What post has had the best response, which post are you most proud of and which post did you enjoy writing the most?

I was surprised that my post Home Decor and Organisation Plans is my most popular. I guess everyone loves a bit of organisation in the new year.

I’m most proud of writing Stress, Anxiety and Me even though it doesn’t have many views. I felt I had to write down how I was feeling and hopefully someone would relate to how I feel. For me, admitting how I feel is something I really struggle with.

Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?

As with anything I think that you’re going to get that happen from time to time so yes.

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

I’d definitely love to be earning more from my blog. I’m starting to write more personal posts as I feel that I’ve not written enough about my experiences of parenting as I would have liked. I’d like to hope that my blog grows and that I have more people who relate to my experiences.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

That I have my own little space on the net to share my thoughts and experiences. I have had some fab opportunities from blogging and also have made some blog friends that I chat to regularly even though I’ve yet to meet them.

…and your least favourite?

Trying to be organised I’m not the best at it and need to sort out a proper schedule for getting blogging done.

What’s the best blog post you have ever read?

I can honestly say that it’s not one can answer as I have read so many fab posts from so many other bloggers so really can’t pick one.

What blog do you love to read and why?

There are so many blogs I love to read my two favourites at the moment are:

Sparkles and Stretchmarks by Hayley

I love reading their honest posts on parenting.

Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?

I’m a lot more pickier with brands I work with and make sure they are right fit for my blog. I’m the same when it comes to sponsored/guest posts too and how much I get paid. Back when I first started blogging getting items to review and paid posts was all new to me so I never knew what to accept and what not to.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

Definitely not, I started as a hobby and as I’ve said the idea of working with brands on reviews/paid work was all new to me. I never knew that you could do that with blogging at the time.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I’ve worked with some lovely brands and I have to be honest and say I can’t pick a favourite.

Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?

I’d love to work with BumpPR, I’ve heard that they are lovely to work with. Other than that there are such a wide range of other brands and PR companies some I’ve not heard of so it’s lovely when I get approached and think “wow, that’s a great brand”.

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

Only not being organised and/or having writers block which has made me on a few occasions want to give up.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

To be able to earn a full time wage from blogging. It would be amazing to do so as writing is always something that is a passion of mine.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Running around after my crazy child. My life is centred around him so when I am not blogging and he is in bed I’ll get into bed and read a book or watch something on Netflix.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself.

At the age of 16 I got so drunk at a friends 16th that I ended up fracturing my foot. I’ve never drank so much since.

Now that you know all about Joanna from Joanna Victoria, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Joanna for being involved!